ALL MEDIA PHOTO CHALLENGE - DECEMBER 2012 #26

Hi Kim, I don't have regular watercolors, just the watercolor pencils, so I'm not sure of the difference in the sheen. It's a good thing im not anywhere near an art store - it would be impossible to get out without wanting everything in sight!

Thanks again for the comment in my avatar. I did the drawing on site at the museum. Our classes called for drawing from the exhibits.

SAM, Thanks for the compliment on the avatar...I'm sure I haven't changed from this (right) - or at least I kept the same hips. ;) MARSHA, I forgot to answer your ? of where I'm at: South of Chicago, IL, in a more rural area. I put some info. in the bio. but I'm still getting used to the tech stuff, so I'll get it in there later.

Marsha, I just went through all the pages of this thread so that I could send friend requests to the new people and was shocked at how many new people joined in this month. It was a great month with terrific photos and a wonderful response and exciting work.

I haven't repainted the bridge scene yet but I did do this charcoal and graphite sketch of a section of it. It's about 12 x 18 and is done on a very light weight sketch paper. Since I took this picture I have gone in and lightened the foreground shadow at the far edge of the path up but just a little

Catherine - I'm not sure which section it is - - is it the tree closest to the bridge reflecting in the water? The shadow is good and the reflection, too. You might want some "harder" edges on the tree - - just crisp them up a bit. I used to love working with graphite and vine charcoal but haven't done it in years.

Jen I forgot about the candle in the jar photo and your charcoal picture makes me want to go back and try that too. I think you did a good job with it.

Holly, Jen and Sam. I actually referred to the second photo Marsha posted. It shows more of the creek. I'm posting the sketch/watercolor I did of the creek with grasses and the tree and as you can see by the charcoal I strayed a bit and turned the creek into the path. It was just an exercise in options I guess.

Catherine, both of your scenes turned out nicely - the contrast in the fist is super, and the 2nd one's added color makes it particularly special since it's kept nuetral to look natural. Love that crisp overhang of snow!